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Karim Ansarifard

Karim Ansarifard
Iran vs. Montenegro 2014-05-26 (059).jpg
Ansarifard at Stadion Hartberg during a match between Iran and Montenegro
Personal information
Full name Karim Ansarifard
Date of birth (1990-04-03) 3 April 1990 (age 26)
Place of birth Ardabil, Iran
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current team
Olympiacos
Number 17
Youth career
2000–2005 Inter Campus
2005–2006 Zob Ahan Ardabil
2006–2007 Saipa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2012 Saipa 137 (64)
2012–2013 Persepolis 31 (8)
2013–2014 Tractor Sazi 28 (14)
2014–2015 Osasuna 16 (0)
2015–2017 Panionios 44 (14)
2017– Olympiacos 1 (0)
National team
2005–2006 Iran U17 3 (0)
2007–2008 Iran U20 7 (5)
2009–2011 Iran U23 13 (5)
2009– Iran 54 (14)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 8 January 2017.
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15 November 2016

Karim Ansarifard (Persian: کریم انصاری‌فرد‎‎; born 3 April 1990, Ardabil) is an Iranian footballer who plays as a striker for Greek club Olympiacos and the Iranian national team. His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to Ali Daei (the coach who scouted him) and he has been named Daei's "successor".

World Soccer selected Ansarifard as one of the best young talents in the world alongside Javier Hernández and Jack Wilshere. On 13 January 2012, FIFA.com selected him as one of the players to watch in 2012. Goal.com also chose him as one of the hottest 100 young football players in the world. Also in 2012, FIFA ranked him as the 48th best goalscorer in the world and second best in Asia.

During one of Saipa's training camps in Ardabil, Karim's home city, he was taken on a training trial by then-coach Ali Daei and was accepted into the club's youth academy and reserves. In the 2007 season Saipa the Iranian reigning champions encountered problems in scoring after the departure of Mohsen Khalili and retirement of then-coach Ali Daei. After 12 weeks Ali Daei moved Ansarifard to the first team from the reserves and the young starlet answered the coach's faith with good games including the only goal against a strong Sepahan team. Ansarifard scored 13 goals during the 2009/2010 season. After strong performances, Karim became fast one of the best players of Saipa and targeted by European clubs such as Borussia Dortmund and Celtic F.C. later, FC Steaua București made a €200,000 bid for a half season loan. In May 2011, it was suggested that Everton are interested in signing Ansarifard. Despite major interest from European clubs, conscription problems made the prospect of Ansarifard moving to a foreign club unlikely. Ansarifard renewed his contract with Saipa for another two years on 14 July 2011. In the 2011–2012 Iranian Pro League season, Ansarifard scored 21 goals and made 5 assists for Saipa, becoming the league's top scorer.


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Wikipedia

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